Defending QPR and Harry Redknapp over Dubai-gate

This is an opinion based on logic rather than necessarily fact, so apologies if it later turns out to be incorrect.

Reports emerged in The Mirror this morning about QPR’s recent trip to Dubai, and how the get-away was more akin to a stag-do than it was warm weather training.

Harry Redknapp reacted badly to the reports, and he contested them vigorously after his side’s win at Southampton this afternoon.

“This is the work of someone trying to discredit QPR and damage the work we are trying to do — and I think I know who it is. It’s someone who has tried to harm us before.

I have spoken to the players and they are as disgusted as me and can’t believe these claims either. They think it’s a disgrace.”

(The Sun)

Actually, I believe him.

Regular readers will know that I’m not the biggest Redknapp fan, and that his cultivated throwback image irritates me quite a lot, but that’s irrelevant here.

Redknapp is strongly against his players touching any alcohol, and has been for a long time. When he was at Tottenham he implemented a drinking ban on his players during the season, and he has absolutely no tolerance for the kind of behaviour which The Mirror reported this morning.

Obviously, he was always bound to deny the story as categorically as he has, but I have a very hard time believing that he would ever allow something like this to happen within his squad - neither he, nor Kevin Bond or Joe Jordan, would have given those players even the slightest opportunity to behave in this way.

…and the proof is in the pudding. Premier League players who have been on an international bender during the week don’t win away from home at the weekend.